Author Question: Contrast and discuss the difference between amorphous and crystalline regions in a polymer. What ... (Read 216 times)

tuffie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 534
Contrast and discuss the difference between amorphous and crystalline regions in a polymer.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why must average molecular weights be used for polymers rather than exact molecular weights based upon the molecular formula as is done for small molecules?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 3

What is the difference between a number average and a weight average molecular weight?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



prumorgan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 326
Answer to Question 1

In crystalline regions the polymer chains are tightly packed which results in a high density. The polymers in these crystalline regions have relatively strong intermolecular bonds which increase the stability of the polymer and increase most mechanical and physical properties. Amorphous regions are zones within the polymer structure where no crystallinity exists. Even highly crystalline polymers usually have some amorphous regions. The physical and mechanical properties for largely amorphous polymers are lower than analogous crystalline polymers.

Answer to Question 2

Small molecules have exact formulas which always apply. In polymers, the chains can be of varying length and so a general formula must be used. This general

formula represents the number of monomer units by an unknown

Answer to Question 3

The number average is dominated by the actual number of molecules and gives equal value to both large and small molecules. The weight average molecular weight gives greater value to the large, heavy molecules.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Sperm cells are so tiny that 400 to 500 million (400,000,000–500,000,000) of them fit onto 1 tsp.

Did you know?

The average person is easily confused by the terms pharmaceutics and pharmacology, thinking they are one and the same. Whereas pharmaceutics is the science of preparing and dispensing drugs (otherwise known as the science of pharmacy), pharmacology is the study of medications.

Did you know?

The highest suicide rate in the United States is among people ages 65 years and older. Almost 15% of people in this age group commit suicide every year.

Did you know?

More than 2,500 barbiturates have been synthesized. At the height of their popularity, about 50 were marketed for human use.

Did you know?

Hyperthyroidism leads to an increased rate of metabolism and affects about 1% of women but only 0.1% of men. For most people, this increased metabolic rate causes the thyroid gland to become enlarged (known as a goiter).

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library